Electric target rifle range



Oct. 4, 1938. A. J. CARTER ELECTRIC TARGET RIFLE RANGE Original Filed June 15, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet' 1 fizy'eiaz ar JZmJCZZr/Z/ m 7 Oct. 4, 1938. A J A T 2,131,791

ELECTRI TARGET RIFLE RANGE Original Filed June 15, 1956 4 SheetsSheet 2 fizra Iva n 0" 0Ct. 4, 1938. J CARTER I 2,131,791

I ELECTRIC TARGET RIFLE RANGE Original Filed June 15, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Oct. 4, 1938. c 2,131,791

ELECTRIC-TARGET RIFLE RANGE Original Filed June 15, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 'Patented Oct. 4, 1938 UNITED STATES ELECTRIC TARGET RIFLE RANGE Alva J. Carter, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Rayolite Rifle Range Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Oklahoma Original application June 15, 1936, Serial No. 85,246. Divided and this application October 7, 1936, Serial No. 104,468

2 Claims. (01. 273-1011) My invention relates to an improvement in target rifle ranges of the type in which a rifle or revolver or gun or the like is'employed to shoot a flash or ray of light, of short duration, at a #5. target Which includes a photoelectric cell.

One purpose of my invention is to provide an improved range of the type above described, in which the photoelectric cell is mounted on a moving target. r

Another purpose is the provision of improved means for connecting the photoelectric cell on the target with an amplifier normally fixed in relation to the housing in which the moving target portions are housed.

Another purpose is the provision of improved means for counting the shots fired or the trigger pulls in order to limit the number of trigger pulls available, in a coin operated .machine, for each coin insertion.

Another purpose is the provision of improved scoring means or score recording means.

Another purpose is the provision of improved means for controlling the drop portion of the target whereby, when the photoelectric cell of the target is struck, a drop, which may simulate a bird or animal, falls to indicate a hit.

This application is a division of my application for an electric target rifle range, filed on June 15, 1936, Serial No. 85,246.

Other purposes will appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings Wherem:

35 Figure 1 is a general wiring diagram with some of the operating parts included;

' Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device as a whole; r

Figure 3 is a partial interior view of the target structure, looking from the rear;

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 3; I

Figure 5 is a section on the line 55 of Figure 4; 45 t Figure 6 is an illustration of the upper portion of Figure 4 with parts in a difierent position; and Figure 7 is a view of the score indicating device, illustrated as a partof the wiring diagram in Figure 1, showing parts in different position. Like symbols indicate like parts throughout the specification and drawings.

1 Referring first to Figure'2, A generally indicates the .target housing or cabinet; B indicates the firing stand; and C indicates generally the 55 gun structure. It will be understood that the ill conductive connections shown in detail in Figure 1 extendbetween the cabinet and the firing stand and the. gun and will be later pointed out in detail. It will be understood that these various connections are carried in flexible conduits or cables, one such cable D connecting the cabinet A with the gun stand B, and a second E, connecting the gun stand B and the gun 0.

Referring to the operative parts of the device, andconsidering first the cabinet structure, generally indicated as at A, Iillustrate an outer housing I, details of which do not per se form part of the present invention. It will be understood, however, that either an open space or a transparent window 2 is employed. To the rear of.

this window is any suitable scenic foreground indicated as 3, an upper portion of which is generally arcuate to conform to the path of the target structures below described. However, it will be understood that the details of the scenery and the supporting structure therefor may be widely varied.

Mounted within the housing on any suitable support 4 I illustrate a target base 5 which may be bolted in position as by the bolts 6. It supports any suitable bearing construction or sleeve 1, in which is rotatably mounted the target carrying shaft '8. Keyed or otherwise secured to this shaft'il is a worm gear 9 in mesh with a worm l0 which may be associated with or driven by any suitable motor M. It will'be understoodthat when the motor H is connected in conductive circuit with "asource of electric power it serves to rotate the shaft 8 and the parts connected thereto.

Secured to theopposi-te end of the shaft 8 is a hub I-2 to which are secured radial arms l3, l4. Pivoted to the outer end of each said arm, as at I5, is a drop structure generally indicated as IS, with which is associated the weight H. The .drop is apertured as at l8 and may be in the form of a bird or animal. Secured on the outer end of each of the target arms l3, I4 is a target bracket generally indicated as at H] to the upper end of which is mounted an angle support upon which is positioned any suitable housing 2| within which is positioned a photoelectric cell 22 or any other suitable element for responding to the flash-of light diagrammatically indicated in Figures 1 andfi by the dotted arrow lines 23.

It will be understood that in the operation of the device, the aperture I8 is generallyhorizontally ali-ned with thephotoelectric cell 22 whereby the user, employing a light projecting gun, can sight through the aperture l8 and hit the cell 22. Any suitable lens portion 24 may be employed in order to concentrate the light from the gun upon the cell. Mounted upon the bracket [9 is an upstanding pivotal member 25 to which is pivoted any suitable latch member 26 slotted at its rear end as at 21 and provided with a latch hook 28 at its forward end. A spring 29 tends normally to draw the latch member into latch holding position, as shown.

in Figure 4, whereby the drop [6 is normally held in the upright position in which it is shown in Figure 4. I may also employ with the latch a kick-off member 30 adapted, when the latch is lifted into the position in which it is shown in Figure 6, to give a thrust against the back of the target drop structure at the time that the latch is released.

Downwardly extending through a bearing or centering sleeve 3| in the bracket I9 is any suitable actuating member or stem 32, which is provided with adjustable abutments 33, 34, at its lower end, which may be screw-threaded in relation to it and which receive between them the armatures 35 or 35 associated with the electromagnets 36 or 38 in any suitable fashion upon a lower portion of the arms l3 or I4. It will be understood that the armature may be slotted as at 31 in order to prevent any binding of the parts when the armature 35 is rotated through its permitted arc of movement in response to excitement of the electromagnet 36. The downward movement of the armature may also be limited by any suitable abutment 38. The slotting of the latch 26, as at 21, similarly prevents binding at the upper end of the rod 32.

It will be understood, of course, that I may provide a wide variety of means for releasing the drop and for holding it in position until released, but the above described structure is practical and operative.

The drop members It, once they have been released by action of the electromagnets 36, 36 and rod 32, releasing the catch 26, are returned to initial position by gravity, as the arms l3 rotate to position below the axis of rotation of the shaft 8. In order to insure the return of the drops Hi to vertical position, I may also employ a guide or cam member shown inFigure 3 and indicated as 200. The lower end may be rounded or beveled as at 20! in order to throw the drop member l6 into vertical position, in which position it is again received and held by the locking means shown in Figure 4 and including the latch 26.

In order to include the photoelectric cell 22 in a conductive circuit with parts which do not move with the movable portion of the target, I provide a hub or sleeve member of non-conductive material, generally indicated as 40. Mounted in the outer surface of this hub are three complete slip rings 4|, 42 and 43, and a pair of segments 44, 45, which together make a practically complete ring but are insulated from each other. Opposed to each of these rings, and to the segments, is an individual conductive contact finger illustrated as M 42*, 43 and 46. As will be clear from Figure 4, two of these conductive fingers are positioned above and two below the axis of rotation of the shaft 8 and they are mounted for example in blocks 41 of non-conductive material and are normally stationary.

' Referring to the gun structure as shown in Figure l, I may employ any suitable gun stock generally indicated as 50 having a barrel 5| and sights 52. Mounted in the barrel, preferably at the rear end thereof, is an incandescent lamp 53. In circuit with the lamp is a mercury controlled switch generally indicated as 54. Any suitable lens or lenses 55 may be employed to direct a relatively restricted light beam from the gun. I illustrate only one, in Figure l, but more may be employed if necessary. 56 illustrates a trigger pivoted as at 51 and having an inward extension within the gun.

Pivoted to this inward extension is a stem 59 which is provided with a knob 62 of insulating. material.

Positioned above the trigger structure is a longitudinally movable'stem 12 with a cone-shaped portion 13 intermediate its ends.

Pivoted in the aperture in the bottom of the gun barrel 5| is a pivoted shutter 81.

The details of the gun mechanism are only diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 1 since they form no part of the present invention.

A brief description of the gun mechanism is as follows: Each time the trigger 56 is pulled, it actuates the movable stem 12 which in turn, by means of the cone-shaped portion 13, momentarilyopens the shutter 81.

The shutter 81, which normally masks the light 53, thus permits a beam of light to escape from the gun barrel 5|.

The trigger pull has an additional function, namely that of closing the gun switch which in cludes the opposed switch spring contacts I09 and. mm. This result is obtained by the engagement of the knob 62 with the outer end of the leaf I09, as shown in Figure 1, the knob 62 being of insulating material.

Referring now to the general schematic circuit layout, as shown in Figure 1, I illustrate terminal lines a and a The terminal line a connects to one side of the coil a of a transformer generally indicated as T. A switch a is shown which may be manually operable to terminate the operation of the entire machine. The line a extends to the opposite terminal of the primary coil a In parallel across the lines a, a is the line a in which is the motor H. (1 indicates any suitable switch which may be manually operated whereby, when the switch a is closed, the motor can still be switched on and off at will.

I illustrate one secondary coil for the transformer T, at a which may for example be of small voltage, 6 volts being satisfactory. From one terminal extends the conductive line a to the gun lamp 53. From the other terminal the conductive line a extends to the opposite terminal of the gun lamp 53. Interposed in it is the mercury switch 54 which is adapted to prevent a closure of the gun lamp circuit unless the gun is in substantially horizontal position.

I may employ a second secondary coil or coils of the transformer T generally indicated as Z). From one terminal extends the conductive line b to 22 Extending from the junction 11 is the line b to one terminal 12 of the coin operated switch generally indicated as S. Any suitable means S may be employed in response to the insertion of a coin, or at the time of the insertion of the coin, tomove the switch S into closed position. From the opposite terminal B of the switch extends the conductive line b to the electromagnet b". From the electromagnet b the line b extends to the junction 11 and the conductive line b completes a circuit to the opposite terminal of the secondary coil 1) of the transformer T.

Extending from the junction Z2 in the line b is a line 12 to the switch. cdntact'lflfl of. the gun switch. The circuit then extendsfrom the opposite terminal I 01]. by meansof the line b to: the switch contact I1 .The opposite contact U is connected by the conductive. line. h to the line b V.

The above described connections form a shunt connection to actuate'the electromagnet' b".

Associated with the electromagnet b is the armature I I pivoted as at II I and provided with a spring hammer II 2. opposed to any suitable sounding abutment H3 which may, if desired, bea portion of the cabinet. The armature also includes an upwardly extendingportion 'IM to which is pivoted as at H a dog 0' opposed to a ratchet wheel II'I which has associated with it a cam disc H8, both being mounted on a shaft H9, the cam being provided with a camnotch I20 adapted to receive a portion of the contact 11 whereby, when the contact 11- is alined with the cam notch I 20, the conductive contact between the switch members b and I1 is broken. A spring I2I tends normally to hold the dog II6 down against the ratchet and the spring I22 tendstohold the armature as a whole against the stop I23.

photoelectric cells 22 It will be observed that eleven teeth are shown on the ratchet 1. When the coin switch S is closed, upon the insertion of a coin, the electromagnet b is" energized and the armature is moved counter-clockwise; This causes the dog I I6 toride over one tooth. The next time the circuit isbroken the spring I22 is effective to move the ratchet wheel the distance of one notch. This moves the notch I20out of engagement with the spring-switch contact Z1 and closes the switch. i

The operator, having inserted his coin, next takes aim and pulls the trigger 56. This closes the switch "leaves I00 and I011 and again closes the circuit through the electromagnet I)" through the shunt circuit above described, and this again moves the armature H4 and the dog II 6 over one notch, and'ag'ain permits the spring I22 to withdraw the armature and rotate the ratchet the distance of one tooth. Inasmuch as the notch I20 has already cleared the switch 11 the switch contacts b and 11 are left closed. i

Another result of the trigger pull isthe thud caused by the impact of the hammer I I2 against the opposed abutment I I3 which simulates or suggests the sound of a shot, and which takes place at each trigger pull.

After the tenth trigger pull, the notch I20 is again in line with the off-set portion of the switch leaf B and permits thatswitch to swing out of contact with the opposed switch 11 This breaks the shunt connection between the trigger switch I00 and I00 and the insertion of another coin is necessary to start thedevice.

The amplifier circuit and the circuit for the scoring or score recording device may be described as follows: f

The photoelectric amplifier cooperates with the and 22 when one of the photoelectric cells is struck by a flash of light from the gun C as generally indicated, as in Figure 1, by the letter P. It will be understood that thepower for the amplifier is received from the commercial power circuit including the lines a and a which operate the transformer T.

From the secondary coil 17 a line may be traced through b b 0, to the switch member 0 the opposed switch member 0?, the line 0 passing the intersection point 0 and terminating at ready to function.

theamplifier Pas at'c The circuit for the amplifier is-completed from the contact 0 line 0 to i the junction 0 and back along the line b to the opposite terminal of the transformer T.

As will be clear, for example from Figure 1, a switch including the elements 0- and c is-closed by the action of the member b and Z2 when the member 17 is movedout of the'notch I20 in the cam disc II8. This is to say. the switches b, 12 and c 0 are operated in unison in response to movement of the cam disc II8. When the switch members 0 c are closed, the photoelectric amplifier P receives power from the secondary coil b of the transformer T and is the secondary coil 1) of the photoelectric cell photoelectric amplifier P is The connection between 22 and 22 and the as follows:

Tracing from the contact or terminal 0 is the line 0 to'the fixed contact 42 in contact with the ring 42. Extending from the ring 42 is the conductive line 0 to the junction 0 where it branches as 0 01 to the photoelectric cells 22 and 22*, respectively. Return lines 0 and e are provided from the two photoelectric cells which join at the junction 0 with the line 0 which extends to the ring 43. 43 is another fixed contact opposed to'the'ring 43 and from it extends the conductive line 0 to the terminal 0 on the photoelectric amplifier.

The result of the impingement of a flash of light upon the photoelectric cells 22 or 22 is to excite the photoelectric relay (1 which, when ex1 cited, closes the moving switch contact 11 against thefixed contactd The circuit so controlled may be traced from the secondary coil b of the transformer T through the line b to the junction d along the lined to the junction d along the line d to the electromagnet d", and thence along the line 01 to the junction 11*, and, by the equalling the total number of hitsmade against one or the other of the photoelectric cells 22 or 22 The score indicatoris visible through the window d in the front of the cabinet shown in Figure 2.

It will be understood that a spring al tends normally to keep the armature in the position in which it is shown in Figure 1. The spring (1 isto keep the dog (2 in the position in which it is shown against the stop The function of the spring (Z is to cause the drum (Z and its associated parts to return to initial position, which movement is normally resisted by the detent d held in the position in which it is shown by the spring di of Figure 1.

The circuit controlled'by the relay d and the switch members d and d is continued from the switch d by the line (1 to the junction L1 and by the line d to the junction 0 where it joins .1u

' In order toreset thedrum (Z to initial position I provide the following circuit which branches electromagnet e and-continues by the line e to the junction 11 and through the line 11 to the junction and line b which closes the circuit through the secondary coil b of the transformer T and through the switch elements 0 c of the shot limit structure. As long as the switch structure c 0 that is to say, as long as the switch member 19 is riding on'the periphery of the cam disc H3 and has not yet dropped into the notch I20, the circuit through the electromagnet e is closed. At the tenth shot, when the connection between the switch members 0 and c is broken, and the circuit is broken through the electromagnet e the armature e is drawn by the spring 6 into the position in which it is shown in Figure 1, and the latch e slides forward away from the abutment e and its latch or head portion c rides over the pin e on the detent (1 in readiness to release the detent d and to permit the spring (1 to rotate the parts back to initial position, any suitable stop means being provided to terminate the retrograde movement of the drum (2 when the symbol 0 is alined with the aperture (Z as shown in Figure 2. When the device is again set in movement by closure of the coin operated switch S, the electromagnet e is again excited and draws to itself the armature e When it does so, it moves with it the detent d permitting the spring (1 to move the drum (1 back to the zero position. By the time the detent has cleared the teeth of the ratchet wheel d, the hump e of the latch e moves over the abutment e causing the latch e to lift and release the detent d to the position in which it is shown in Figure 11. As long as the circuit continues closed through the switch members 0 c the parts remain in that position. The detent d prevents retrograde movement of the ratchet d, while allowing its forward step by step movement in response to actuation of the armature (Z In order to actuate the drop structure, shown for example in Figure 4 and including the drop members 16, I provide the already described electromagnets 36 and 36 only one of which can work at a time, because of the employment of the split ring segments 44 and 45 already described. The connection there formed from the transformer T and its secondary coil 1) may be traced by the line d through the junction d by the line 9 to the normally fixed contact M the ring 4 l the line g through the electromagnet 36, back by the line g to the upper segment 44, the normally fixed contact 46, and the line 9 to. the junction (2 through the line c1 and switch members d (1 back along the line (1 junction (1 the lines d and 12 to the secondary coil 1) of the transformer T.

Similar lines are shown and similarly indicated, extending to the electromagnet 36 in connection with the ring 45. It will be understood however, that only the top drop can ever be shot at and only one can be shot at at a time and only one of the electromagnets 36, 36 can operate at one time. 7

It will be realized that, whereas I have described and illustrated a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes may be made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention. I therefore wish my description and drawings to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative or diagrammatic, rather than as limiting me to the precise showing. I

In particular, I wish it to be understood that I am claiming primarily a target range and do not intend to limit myself to the particular circuits employed, since a wide variety of substantially equivalent circuits may be employed, which may differ greatly in general detail and tracing, while obtaining the same, or substantially the same, result. I therefore do not wish to be limited to the specific structure and circuits here shown except to the extent in which I positively limit myself in the language of the claims. I also wish it to be understood that the photoelectric amplifier employed may vary widely, and that it may be practical to put it in continuous circuit and control the motor circuit by the coin switch structure herein shown. In other words, this involves reversing the position of the amplifier and motor in the diagram of Figure l, a reversal which would be perfectly clear to any skilled operator in the art.

It will be understood, however, that the amplifier employed is not a source of power for operating the structure herein shown but is merely a means of controlling or actuating the elements involved in response to the excitement or closure of the photoelectric amplifier relay as a result of hits recorded against the photoelectric cells. It will be understood, therefore, that a wide variety of changes may be made in the wiring diagram herein shown without departing from the spirit of my invention and scope of my claims.

I claim:

1. A marksmanship device'comprising an arm mounted for rotation, a light sensitive cell carried by one end of the arm, a pivoted target plate apertured in register'with and carried by the arm and in front of the light sensitive cell, means responsive to 'energization of the cell for causing the target plate to move into a hit indicating position, including a latch member movable endwise of said arm and adapted normally to hold said target plate in upright position, means for releasing said latch member in response to the energization of the cell, including a solenoid and a mechanical connection between said solenoid and said latch member, hammer means and means for causing the hammer means to strike the target plate following its release by the latch to positively urge the target plate into hit indicating position.

2. In a target, a hub and means for rotating it, a pair of radial arms spaced one hundred and eighty degrees from each other, extending outwardly from said hub, an independent target upon the end of each of said arms including a'target drop pivoted to said arm, said target drop being apertured, photosensitive means associated with said targets whereby when a flash of light passes through the aperture of either of said drops said photosensitive means are affected, latch means adapted normally to hold each said target drop in upright position, a control rod for each said latch means extending inwardly along the arm associated therewith to a point adjacent the hub, electromagnetic means for moving said rods and an actuating circuit therefor, and means for closing said circuit when said photosensitive means are excited.

ALVA J. CARTER. 

